‘We weren’t alone’: Family shares miraculous story of survival in Michigan church attack

On a beautiful September Sunday, Bridger and Lindsey Frampton were sitting in the middle aisle of the chapel with their five children, ranging in age from 13 years old to 8 months old, when a truck suddenly smashed into the building. Moments later, gunfire erupted and flames engulfed the church.

“I saw the gun. I just remember thinking, ‘How is this happening?’” Lindsey told KSL. “I was screaming. It was on purpose — to get out of the chapel.”

Bridger, an ER doctor and flight surgeon for the National Guard, ran outside thinking it was a medical emergency.

“I never put a car hitting the building and a gunman together,” Bridger said.

As bullets flew and smoke filled the hallways, Lindsey had a hold of their eight-month-old son, but the Framptons’ four other children were missing. Lindsey described the terror:

“Probably the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my whole life. Helpless. I assumed worst-case scenario because there was a lot of gunfire,” she said.

Miraculously, 5-year-old Maverick appeared at Lindsey’s feet.

“I was literally two steps inside that door, and Maverick was right in front of me, which is crazy,” she said.

Bridger kept searching for the others, even as fire spread.

“I look into the chapel and I see the back pews are on fire — like it is a huge raging fire,” he said.

Through it all, Bridger said he felt guided.

“There was no doubt in my mind. I could feel my grandpa with me. I could feel people with us,” he said. “I don’t like to make quick decisions, but in that setting, I knew exactly what I needed to do without hesitation.”

Finally, the remaining children were found hiding in the nearby woods.

“I know that while they were hiding in the woods, there were probably angels around them,” Lindsey said through tears. “Relief — like unbelievable relief.”

Bridger spent six days in the hospital for smoke inhalation. The family said their survival is nothing short of miraculous.

“Everybody [in our family] was just like protected and nobody can explain how or why,” 13-year-old Brytton said.

The Framptons were sure the death toll from this attack would be much higher than four, and those injured would be much higher than nine. That’s why they believe their survival is just one of the many miraculous stories from that terrifying day in Grand Blanc.

“There is a lot of emotions, thankfulness that so many people made it out okay,” said Lindsey.

The FBI said the violent attack was motivated by “anti-religious beliefs” against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.